Households in Northern Ireland spent more on average per week than any of the other constituent countries of the UK in the period 2006-08, according to figures published today by the Office for National Statistics.

Households in Northern Ireland spent more on average per week than any of the other constituent countries of the UK in the period 2006-08, according to figures published today by the Office for National Statistics.

Family Spending, the ONS’ annual report on household expenditure in the UK, reveals that households in Northern Ireland spent on average £479.70 per week. This compares with £465.20 per week for England, £432.80 in Scotland and £406.70 in Wales. The average weekly spend for households in the UK as a whole for this period was £459.70.

Northern Ireland households spent more than those in the other UK countries in seven of the twelve expenditure categories. The most notable were food and non-alcoholic drink, at £55.40 per week compared with a UK average of £48.40, and clothing and footwear at £34.50 per week, compared with a UK average of £22.20. Households in Wales spent the least in seven categories, including a transport spend of £56.20 per week compared with an average of £62.00. They spent £30.90 per week on restaurants and hotels, compared with a UK average of £37.50.

Households in England spent on average the most on housing, fuel and power, at £52.10 per week. Those in Scotland spent the least, at £42.30, compared with a UK average of £50.80. Please note that this category does not include expenditure on mortgage interest payments, capital repayment of mortgages, council tax or Northern Ireland rates. Average weekly spending on recreation and culture was highest in Scotland, at £59.20 per week, and lowest in Northern Ireland at £55.90.

The UK average was £58.30. Among the UK Government Office Regions in England, households in London had the highest weekly expenditure in 2006-08, at £544.70, compared to the lowest weekly spend in the North East of £386.10. The average UK household expenditure was £459.70. Three other regions had higher than average expenditure: the South East, with £512.30 per week; the East, with £493.40 per week, and the South West, with £469.20.

Households in the East of England spent more money on recreation and culture than those in any other region of the UK - £63.80 per week on average – while those in the North East spent the least, at £50.60. Average weekly spending in the UK on transport in 2006-08 was £62.00, but households in the South East spent the most, on average £76.40 per week, while those in the North East spent the least at £49.70. In 2008, households in London spent £75.80 per week on average on mortgages, the highest of all the UK regions, followed by the South East at £72.70. The UK average was £57.20.

Digitally native competitors and demanding customers are forcing a new perspective in retail. AI and machine learning can help you step up to the challenges; and some ‘small and beautiful’ solutions can increase your conversion rates within just a few weeks.